iCloud Mail vs Mailfence
On privacy it's Mailfence. On price it's iCloud Mail. On features it's iCloud Mail. Here's everything side by side, last checked 22 October 2026.
Should you pick iCloud Mail or Mailfence?
- iCloud Mail suits you best if you want a cheaper plan, at £0.99 a month and more room (50 GB, against 10 GB).
- Mailfence is the better pick if you want your mail kept in Belgium and extras such as PGP encryption as well as catch-all address.
| Feature | iCloud Mail | Mailfence |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 3.0 | 4.0 |
| Privacy | 0.5 | 3.5 |
| Price | 5.0 | 4.0 |
| Features | 5.0 | 4.5 |
| Cheapest plan | iCloud+ 50 GB £0.99 a month | Entry €3.50 a month |
| Free plan | Yes, 5 GB, no own domain | Yes, 500 MB–1 GB, no own domain |
| Storage | 50 GB | 10 GB |
| Your own domain | ✓ Up to 5 | ✓ Yes |
| End-to-end encryption | No | Optional (PGP or encrypted storage) |
| Company based in | United States | Belgium |
| Your data is kept in | United States and worldwide | Belgium |
| Founded | 2011 | 2013 |
| Free trial | Free (5 GB) | Free plan |
| Funded by advertising | No | No |
| Works in any mail app | ✓ IMAP and SMTP | ✓ IMAP and SMTP |
| Calendar and contacts | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Aliases | Hide My Email | Yes |
| Open-source apps | No | No |
| Sign up without ID | No | No |
| White label | No | No |
| Reader offer | None | None |
| Last checked | 22 October 2026 | 22 October 2026 |
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How iCloud Mail and Mailfence differ
- On price: iCloud Mail iCloud+ 50 GB at £0.99 a month, against Mailfence Entry at €3.50 a month.
- For free, iCloud Mail gives you a free plan (5 GB, no own domain), and Mailfence a free plan (500 MB–1 GB, no own domain).
- iCloud Mail comes with 50 GB of storage and Mailfence with 10 GB of storage.
- iCloud Mail keeps your mail in the United States and worldwide, while Mailfence keeps it in Belgium.
- iCloud Mail is based in the United States and Mailfence in Belgium, so different privacy laws apply.
- iCloud Mail doesn't encrypt mail end to end; Mailfence offers optional encryption (PGP or encrypted storage).
- For extra addresses, iCloud Mail has hide my email and Mailfence has yes.
Common questions
Which is more private, iCloud Mail or Mailfence?
Mailfence scores 3.5 out of 5 for privacy and iCloud Mail 0.5. Mailfence gives you your mail kept in Belgium.
Which is cheaper, iCloud Mail or Mailfence?
iCloud Mail is cheaper. Its iCloud+ 50 GB plan is £0.99 a month, against €3.50 a month for Mailfence's Entry. iCloud Mail and Mailfence also have a free plan. Check the renewal price before you pay, as some first-year prices go up.
Do iCloud Mail and Mailfence work with my own domain?
Yes, both do. iCloud Mail: Up to 5. Mailfence: Yes.
Where do iCloud Mail and Mailfence keep my email?
iCloud Mail keeps it in the United States and worldwide. Mailfence keeps it in Belgium.
Prices and the latest news
- 1 July 2023 iCloud Mail: £0.99 (UK price rise, 2023)
- 1 June 2023 iCloud Mail: £0.79
The latest headlines: iCloud Mail news · Mailfence news.
Also worth a look
iCloud Mail vs mailbox.org · Mailfence vs mailbox.org · iCloud Mail vs Posteo · Mailfence vs Posteo · iCloud Mail vs Proton Mail · Mailfence vs Proton Mail
Switching between them
Switching takes an evening to set up. Follow the steps for your direction: iCloud Mail to Mailfence · Mailfence to iCloud Mail.